RARE Antique French Minaudiére or Compact, Sterling Silver & Tortoise Shell - Oval Tortoiseshell chateauroux Each plate is rimmed in

Each plate is rimmed in gold and has a mossy filagree-like patterned trim in the border

or some of the really fine ones if you've been collecting a while

The interior view adds to the interest and calm and helps to elevate it to something more than fine portraiture

and most miss even more of the original contents

We've often seen the mirror replaced (or stripped) and the hand mirror repurposed as a wall frame

RARE Antique French Minaudiére or Compact, Sterling Silver & Tortoise Shell - Oval Tortoiseshell chateauroux Each plate is rimmed inWe've had a miniature 'minaudire' of this size or style only twice in 25 years of collecting in more of a compact or rouge pot size usually the French minaudire is a bit larger and is most often also rectangular in shape. Here we have a small oval one, complete in every detail, however, as the larger ones are hinged interior compartments and a hinged mirror as well. Also very rare is that the interior metal hinges, etc. are all in gilded 800 to